Hey, I'm new to this whole intense board gaming. Me and my girlfriend bought this game and are really anxious to play but we don't understand the rule book that much. I was hoping someone can help us out by putting it into terms that we can understand. We can't wait so thanks a lot if you help!

Here's the simple version of the game:

You play for 6 years, or until one player has control of 6 dragon runes (by having units and/or strongholds in the area).

Each year is divided into 4 seasons.

For each season:

1. Draw the top card of the appropriate season deck, and resolve it's effects
2. Each player secretly and simultaneously chooses one of their 4 orders
3. Each player reveals the orders they picked.
4. Starting with the lowest numbered order, players take their turns; if two people pick the same number, break the tie using whoever has the most influence.
5. If a player's order card is the HIGHEST they have played THAT YEAR, they can do the "Supremacy Bonus" on the card. (IE, the one in spring is almost ALWAYS the highest. If you play a 4 in Spring, to get the supremacy in Summer you'd have to play 5+; if you play 1-3, you would get the main ability, but not the bonus.
6. Once everyone has taken their turn, the season ends; start back at #1 for the next season.

There are 8 Orders:

1. Strategize - Lets you move all your unactivated units around, but you can't start any battles. SUPREMACY - Draw tactics cards
2. Mobilize - Lets you do a more full move, which can include an attack and/or diplomacy. SUPREMACY - You can do a second move, as long as it doesn't cause a second battle.
3. Conquest - Lets you do a full move like Mobilize. SUPREMACY - If attacking a Stronghold, the stronghold gets -3 strength.
4. Harvest - Reset your dials based on your areas. SUPREMACY - Use "developments' attached to your strongholds, and build new developments.
5. Recruit - Recruit units based on ONE of your dials. SUPREMACY - Recruit units based on a second dial, also.
6. Rally Support - Collect stuff from the cities you control. SUPREMACY - Spend influence to hire a new hero.
7. Acquire Power - Collect influence based on all your dials. SUPREMACY - Claim a title card
8. Fortify - Build a stronghold AND/OR repair a stronghold AND/OR swap two rune tokens. (No supremacy because it's always the highest)

There are obviously details for everything, but this is the gist of the game.

Thanks so much! Do you use 4 order cards every season or 4 order cards every year?

edge113 said:

4 for every year - each season you play one and only one Order card. Every spring, you will pick up all your order cards for a fresh start. (Although, keep in mind, there is one Spring card that says you only pick up TWO of your order cards; the other two stay down and WILL affect supremacy bonus for the year).